Cusco & Sacred Valley
13.53° S, 71.97° W
Oct 13
Base for Cusco stay Oct 13–18.
Afternoon city tour at 2pm. Local market, Sun Temple, Main Plaza. Bought ponchos. Altitude sickness / out of breath on day 1.
Oct 16
Oct 16. Train to km 104 — delayed 1.5 hours due to landslide. Hike started ~10am. Back by 5:30-6pm. One of the 7 Wonders of the World.
Aguas Calientes. One night stay Oct 16. Dinner at hotel.
Oct 17
Oct 17. Full guided tour of the citadel.
Aguas Calientes. Lunch on Oct 17.
Oct 18
Oct 18. Rainbow mountain alternative hike.
Also
Dinner on arrival night.
Bought alpaca poncho.
Restaurant behind Sonesta hotel. Dinner after city tour.
Sacred Valley day trip (Guide: Cinthia). Steps/terraces — impressive Inca agriculture.
Best ceviche (with mango!). Social enterprise helping local women — teaching, training, providing work opportunities. Five women chefs. Great food AND great cause.
Ancient salt mines in Sacred Valley.
Bought silver earrings. Fresh empanadas from man with big clay oven.
Drop-off point, walking tour of the town. Pizza dinner — best pizzas so far.
Cusco. Pizza dinner after returning from Machu Picchu.
Quick food after Polcoyo hike.
Tips from this trip
- Altitude sickness is real in Cusco — take it easy on Day 1
- Train to km 104 can be delayed by landslides
- AMA restaurant supports local community — great food AND great cause
- Pisac Market has great silver jewelry and fresh empanadas from clay ovens